December 23, 2008
US meat per capita consumption falls to lowest level
Red meat and poultry consumption per person in the US has plunged to the lowest level since 2001 hitting 217.9 pounds (lbs)/person - down 3.4 lbs as against per capita consumption estimates in 2007.
The main factor for the fall is higher US meat exports, in particular pork and beef, as the latter half of 2008 saw a fall in production volumes, mainly poultry, due to cutbacks in profits.
Further declines are expected for 2009 and 2010, since production have fallen in the US and Canada. Consumption in 2009 is predicted to fall 6.36.3 lbs compared to the 2008 level, to 211.6 lbs/person.
